Boomers Abroad

Highlights

Community Issues Addressed by FSD in India
Following independence, India created a strong centralized federal government. However, over three quarters of the Indian population continue to live in rural villages - all diverse communities separated by geography, religion, and language. The large, bureaucratic federal government struggled to coordinate and manage these communities, creating a huge gap between the state and its citizens. This has led to problems with the quality of such things as healthcare, schooling, and labor rights in many rural communities.

Forms of local governance have emerged to ensure that justice and equality are afforded to all Indian citizens. Success in grassroots governance is largely due to the work of many NGOs that focus on community development in rural areas. Road construction, rights for migrant laborers, and improvements in waste management are all examples of recent achievements that village community groups were recently afforded after collaboration with local organizations.

Interns in Rajasthan will have the opportunity to work directly on community development in a place where many remain ignorant about their legal rights and isolated from their political system. FSD works to empower local communities by assisting grassroots organizations to form village level seminars, provide training programs, and organize rallies. These organizations work in the communities to establish local management committees, which generate awareness and encourage political and social change. These non-governmental organizations are extremely effective agents for change, but continue to need help with public relations, impact-assessment reports, and facilitation of educational workshops within these communities.

Additional Programs are Available in: Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda, and Kenya.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Hindi

Cost in US$:

Varies

Cost Include Description:

Your contribution fee covers all program costs (excluding airfare) and is 100% tax deductible for U.S. residents. Included in the fee is: a one-week orientation; family homestay will all meals provided; language lessons (not available in Latin America); development trainings and workshops; group sessions; midterm retreat (9+ weeks only); final debriefing session; on-going in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff; USD 200 mini-grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to USD 500, medical evacuation and limited health insurance; and pick-up from the airport.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range

18-75

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel to India

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 months

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement

Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD's programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:

• Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations worldwide.
  
  
• Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
  
  
• Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
  
  
• Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.

Year Founded

1995